The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-23
Linden street Christian church

The pastor, the Rev. ]. B. Biney,
discoursing on Peter, ii, 8, learned.
ly defined the nature Of the Church of
Christ. stating it to be q "spiritusl
house" and not political Institution.
1t does not propose to govern ones
political thought or action only to the
extent that one must think and act
within the limits Of Christian integrity
and mo- atty. A Christian should not
carry politics into his religion, but be
NAV and should carry religion into bis
politics. He should not vote for man
because he belongs to a particular
church, but because lie represents cor
rect moral principles as applied to
government This Church OF Christ
is not . social club. / have heard 1t
remarked frequently that there is not
sociability enough in the church, but
my observation is that there is a great
deal too much. II is the spiritual
side OF our nature that is In dan.
ger and needs nursing; the social
feature will take care Of itself. Ind ed
we are in constant danger Of cultivat-
ing the social disposition to the negls ct
OF the spiritual nature. A II formation
is very much needed just here. II Is
right enough for US to speak to one
another at church, but 1t would be
better II we did not open our lips In a
social way from the time We reach the
church pavement till we leave it after
the service, than to engage in promis.
cuous conversation, as many do. The
church is place for spiritual culture
aud development. The services OF the
church are devotional and intended
to strengthen the faculties OF the eoul
that lead us to seek sfter God.
The church is spiritual nursery In
which Gods children are trained and
developed in the spiritual department
OF their being, that they may become
more and more like God by being as.
ISOLATED with him by thought and as.
piration. Hence We are admonished
to "long for the spirit a milk, which
is without guile, that ye may grow
thereby into ga vation." This spiritual
milk is the word of God, the appro-
pirate nouIishment OF spiritual be. |
ings. But this spiritual milk" can
not nourish those who do not receive
and digest it.
This spiritual house"-the church
embraces q "holy priesthood, to Of
fer mp spiritual sacr 6ces, acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ" Every
Christian ia a priest or priestees, and
is to officiste in that capacity in the
house Of God. The sacrifices to be
offered consist In reading thu Script
ures, Offering prayers, singing songs
OF praise, etc., Here would empha-
size tie importance Of the song SER
vice, and Of all taking part therein.
Every Christian should have song
book and sing the words Of the spirit
ual songs, If possible; and if he can
not cling with the vocal chords he can
sing with the spirit and with the I'M
derstanding, and thus make melody
In his heart to God. That the modern
choir-made up of hirelings who have
no interest in the matter beyond the
money they get out OF it-displacing
The priesthood of the Most High God
n His own temple, is a palpable
preach of propnety, and groes
domination in the sight OF God. No
body but priest--and every child OF
sod is pIiest-hss no business Off
,iating at the altars of the Lord in His
loly temple. The idea Of hiring a
person who is not priest to fliciate
IS priest is repu' sive 10 the whole
pirit and genius OF revealed religion.
The Church Of God is a spiritual insti-
ution; its services are all Of spiritual
nature, and It's worship must be con-
lucted by spiritual people.